Ready to learn the most important takeaways from On Liberty in less than two minutes? Keep reading!
Why This Book Matters:
Written by one of the most influential philosophers of classical liberalism, John S. Mill’s On Liberty is a classical work on how to balance a modern liberal society and authority with the individuals living in it.
The Big Takeaways:
- Democracy can turn into a social tyranny.
- If While democracy may seem like the best option for governance, it still can fail to provide personal protection to all who are governed.
- Limiting the freedom of thinking and expression is the ultimate crime against humanity
- No nation should suppress differing beliefs, even if they go against social norms.
- Nations can only guarantee 100% individual freedom when rational principles control it.
- Instead of relying on irrational feelings and societal norms, the use of the rational tenets alone guarantees an environment free for everyone.
- Interfering on an individual’s freedom should only be used to prevent harm to himself or others.
- Authorities can only exercise restrictions on individuals if they are a threat to well-being.
- All individuals should be allowed to exercise their free will.
- Every individual is well within their rights to practice free will. Neither government nor people should be allowed to impose their will on others.
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